Stories for October 2017

Monday, October 2nd 2017 - 14:44 UTC
Flower festival for centenary of Pangbourne College and Falklands' War 35 years

Pangbourne College is to celebrate its 100th anniversary with a flower festival on the weekend of October 14 and 15, which will also mark 35 years since the end of the Falklands War. More than 40 flower arrangers from 12 clubs across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire are preparing to take part alongside the school’s art department.
Monday, October 2nd 2017 - 14:12 UTC
Supplies in Falklands ready for shipping to Antarctica's Port Lockroy, the most remote post office

Brooms to clean bird droppings, along with thousands of toy penguins, are among tons of items being shipped out to the UK's most remote post office. Each year, four scientists become postmasters, manning the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust's post office at Port Lockroy in Antarctica for four months.
Monday, October 2nd 2017 - 11:53 UTC
Uruguay foreign minister will meet UK's Boris Johnson next Monday in London

Uruguay's foreign minister Rodolfo Nin Novoa announced he will be meeting foreign secretary Boris Johnson next Monday, in London to address Brexit consequences and Uruguay's interest is reaching a trade agreement with the UK. Although both sides are interested in such an understanding, this will be an initial contact, “the strong intention which will have to be followed up by detailed negotiations”, points out the Uruguayan government ministry.
Monday, October 2nd 2017 - 10:25 UTC
Monarch Airlines bankrupt; Gibraltar prepares “prudent” contingency plans

Monarch Airlines has ceased trading and all of its future bookings have been cancelled, the UK's Civil Aviation Authority has said. Around 110,000 Monarch customers are currently overseas and the UK government has asked the CAA to charter aircraft to bring them back to the UK.
Monday, October 2nd 2017 - 10:21 UTC
UK reaffirms commitment to Gibraltar at the Rock's reception in Manchester

Britain’s commitment to upholding Gibraltar’s British sovereignty and its right to self determination is as “immoveable as the Pillars of Hercules themselves”, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said Sunday night at the Gibraltar reception on the sidelines of the Conservative party conference in Manchester.
Monday, October 2nd 2017 - 10:18 UTC
Theresa May apologizes for June election as she tries to motivate Conservatives

Apologizing for losing her Conservative Party's majority at a June election, Prime Minister Theresa May responded to her critics on Sunday by saying she had the right strategy to lead Britain and win a Brexit deal.
Monday, October 2nd 2017 - 10:05 UTC
Hammond's message to Johnson, “nobody is unsackable”

British Chancellor Philip Hammond on Sunday sent a thinly-veiled warning to Boris Johnson amid speculation that the Foreign Secretary is trying to destabilize Prime Minister Theresa May, declaring “nobody is unsackable”.
Monday, October 2nd 2017 - 09:47 UTC
Barcelona plays La Liga match behind closed doors; Barca players with Catalan colors and Las Palmas the Spanish flag

Barcelona's La Liga game against Las Palmas was played behind closed doors as a protest after their request for it to be postponed in light of Catalonian independence referendum was rejected. The Spanish government pledged to stop a poll declared illegal on a day of violent protests and unrest.
Monday, October 2nd 2017 - 09:23 UTC
Catalonia “closer to statehood”; Rajoy calls Spanish political parties to discuss the situation

Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont said on Sunday that the Spanish region has won the right to statehood following a contentious referendum that was marred by violence. He said the door had been opened to a unilateral declaration of independence. Catalan officials later said 90% of those who voted backed independence in Sunday's vote. The turnout was 42.3%.